plan, and examining the effects of the remedies usually employed in this fever. He found that, independent of cleanliness and the distance of church-yards, every other method was useless. It is singular that the method of purifying the air by acid fumigations was known at Madrid, three years before the epidemic at Cadiz; but was not employed there, though it was very suc cessful at Seville.

The treatise before us is divided into four parts, which treat of the first attempts to purify the air by the muriatic acid; of the experiments made in the Russian and English fleets; and of the method of fumigation adopted in Spain. In the first section. of the third part, the author examines the effects of acid fumigations, established by the many experiments quoted in the work; the opinions offered on this subject; and the consequences to be drawn from the experiments, which are twenty-four in number. In the second section he considers the subject chemically, and treats of the principles which will assist us in choosing the means of correcting the insalubrity of the air, and checking the progress of infection; of the influence of oxygen in depriving air of contagious principles; of oxygenants, and particularly of the oxygenated muriatic acid, as agents for this purpose. He examines also whether the same means may be employed in contagions of a different nature. In the fourth part he points out the true antidotes to infection, and teaches us the manner of employing them.

On this subject we soon mean to take an opportunity of enlarging; and a foreign work, now under consideration, may furnish it. At present we shall remark, in few words, that free ventilation is the only secure method of purifying air; for this contributes to the solution of the putrid miasmata, or to their diffusion, which equally prevent them from injuring the human body. When this is impracticable, oxydating substances, for reasons too long to insist on here, are the only succedanea. Nitrous vapour disguises the smell, without meliorating the air.

Histoire politique et raisonnée du Consulat. History of the Consulate. By V. Comeiras. 8vo. Paris.-Whatever relates to consuls must be now the mode; and the present tract is an abstract of the Roman system, in whatever relates to the consulate. It is appropriated to the French nation, by a general view of the administration of the present first consul of France, which, of course, is all-wise and all-glorious.

Histoire critique de l'Establissement des François dans les Gaules, &c. Critical History of the Settlement of the Franks in Gaul; a postumous Work of the President Hénault, published from his original MS. 2 Vols. 8vo.-The two points which it is the object of the president to ascertain, are, first, the epoch of

the establishment; and, secondly, the manner in which it was

effected.

The abbé Dubos fixes the establishment of the Franks in Gaul at three principal epochs. The first was in 351, when they mixed with the Romans established in Gaul, to whom they were tributary. The second in 445, when they possessed an independent territory in Gaul; and the third when they received its sovereignty from Justinian. These facts are admitted by the president; but the principal object of his work is to elucidate the second. The abbé Dubos went too far in opposing Boulanvilliers, who contended that the Gauls did not obtain the country by right of conquest, but by permission of the Romans. The president explains in a masterly manner the whole subject, and concludes with supporting the opinion of Montesquieu against that of the abbé.

Les Siècles Littéraires de la France, &c. Literary Annals of France; or a new historical, critical, and bibliographical Dictionary of all the French Writers, dead or living, down to the Conclusion of the 18th Century. By M. L. M. Dessessarts. 4 Vols. 8vo. Paris. The abbé de la Porte, in his work entitled France Littéraire,' and M. Ersch, in his three volumes of the French Bibliography, have introduced us to all the French authors, and given a catalogue of the different editions of their works. The names were however imperfect; and our present author has in part corrected the errors, and supplied the imperfections of his predecessors. He might have omitted many writers, who are little known or deserve to be so; but it is the error of biographers to be too copious, and we have given our reasons for sometimes wishing them to be so. The authors, however, who have attained fame in science or literature, who have extended the bounds of human knowledge, are spoken of with care and taste. His opinions respecting those men whose memories are precious to every lover of literature and of their works, are those of an enlightened and impartial inquirer. It is with particular satisfaction we see how little attention he has paid to authors who have transmitted to him their own praises, rather than an account of their lives or writings. We would willingly enlarge on these volumes, if various claims did not prevent us from inserting an article of such extent as a proper examination of the dictionary before us would require. We had selected the life of M. de Guignes as a specimen, and may perhaps, on a future occasion, offer an abstract of it. At present M. Dessessarts must be contented with our general commendations.

Recherches historiques et critiques, &c. Historical and critical Inquiries on the Man with the Iron Mask, from which is derived certain Information respecting that Prisoner. Drawn from authentic Materials. By M. Roux Fazillac. 8vo.-The subject

is not yet exhausted. That famous prisoner is neither the duke of Beaufort, nor the count de Vermandois, nor the duke of Monmouth, nor the elder brother of Lewis XIV., but an Italian count, called Mathioli, minister of the duke of Mantua. The proofs of this assertion are taken from the archives of govern

ment.

Lewis XIV. wished to open a passage to Italy, on which he had views of conquest. A plan was proposed to the duke of Mantua, by Destrades his embassador at Venice, to give up the city of Casal. The negotiation was begun with the count Mathioli, the accredited agent of the duke, who went secretly to Paris, concluded the treaty with Pomponne, and was graciously entertained by Lewis, from whom he received a ring and a sum of money, with a promise of a much greater gratification on the conclusion of the treaty. But the count revealed the secret to the court of Turin, to the senate of Venice, as well as to the agents of Austria and Spain-thus frustrating the entire plan. There was not so much required to excite the resentment of Lewis; and the destruction of Mathioli was resolved on, Decoyed to Pignerol by Destrades, he was arrested there by Catinat. Such an open violation of the right of nations must have been kept an inviolable, secret. St. Mars, commandant of the prison, was at Piguerol, and was the only one entrusted with it. Mathioli was put under his care, under the name of L'Estang.

The proofs must be read in the work itself. To us they do not appear perfectly conclusive. Every thing, however, which has been said of the man with the iron mask applies exactly to count Mathioli; or at least this hypothesis satisfactorily explains all the circumstances.

Conspiration Anglaise. English Conspiracy. Vol. I. 8vo.. From the Press of the Republic.-A retort courteous for our demi-official publication of the intercepted letters from Egypt. The English conspiracy is introduced with much pomp; and the tendency of the intercepted letters is ostentatiously displayed. One thing we perceive has not been imitated in the copy-the originals are concealed.

Paris à la Fin du Dix-huitième Siècle, &c. Paris at the Conclusion of the 18th Century; or a moral and historical Sketch of the Monuments and Ruins in that Capital; of the State of Sciences, Arts, and Industry at that Epoch; and of the Manners and Fallies of its Inhabitants. By J. B. Pijoulx. Svo. Paris.-This is seemingly designed as a continuation of Mercier's famous Tableau de Paris, though, like most continuations, it is unequal in humour, but perhaps equally true. It is divided into twenty-eight chapters, which treat of artists, journals, public balls, sign-painters, &c. calculated for a momentary popularity, and aiming at no more,

Eloge Philosophique de Denis Diderot, &c. Philosophic Eulogy of Denis Diderot, by Eusebius Salverte; read before the National Institute, on the 7th Thermidor, Year VIII. 8vo. Paris. A philosophic eulogy! It is well that the author has not styled it a religious one also; for his veneration for Diderot knows no bounds. Admiration and gratitude have contributed equally, M. Salverte tells us, to this truly sublime work; for the writings of the philosopher have been to him a fertile source of pleasure and instruction. The portraits of Voltaire, Rousseau, Montesquieu, &c. precede that of our author's idol; and an analysis of the works of Diderot follows. It may be supposed that he rests with enthusiasm on the Encyclopédie- a work," says he, which will out-live, after twenty centuries, the loss of our history, and every other work written in our language, and will inspire an esteem for our æra beyond what we ourselves can conceive.' The private life of Diderot concludes this eulogy. The style is elegant, but a little incorrect: indeed, in the passage just quoted, the author says that the Encyclopédie will out-live the loss of all the works written in our language-that is, out-live

itself.

Euvres Philosophiques de St. Lambert. Philosophical Works of St. Lambert. 5 Vols. 8vo. Paris.-This collection contains 1. An analysis of man; 2. Of woman; 3. Of reason; 4. The principles of the manners of every nation, or the universal catechism, with the commentary. These four works are comprised in the first two volumes, and the beginning of the third vo lume. The remainder of the 3d, with the 4th and 5th volumes, contain an historical analysis of society, or essays on the lives of Bolingbroke and Helvetius; and the Two Friends, an Iroquois tale. Those who possess the first three volumes may purchase the fourth and fifth separately.

GERMANY.

Uebersicht der Oekonomischen Pflanzenkulter, &c. A slight View of the Cultivation of Economical Plants. By J. G. Reyher. 8vo. Altona.-This little work is designed for the instruction of the farmer, and treats methodically of the cultivation of land, of meadows, and gardens. The indigenous trees and shrubs of Germany, the useful and the noxious plants and insects, are - also pointed out; with the means of destroying the latter. The author advertises a more extensive work on rural economy.

Versuch einer Vollstendigen Geschichte Vorzüglicher Holzarten, &c. An Essay towards a complete History of the principal Species of Wood, in a systematic Order. By M. de Burgsdorff. 2 Vols. 4to. Berlin. The author treads in the steps of our venerable Countryman Evelyn, but moves with peculiar circumspection.

Indeed the vast extent of his plan will, in a great measure, account for his delays. The work is brought at this time to our notice by the conclusion of the second volume, the first part of which was published in 1787; and the first volume appeared three years before.

It is sufficient to observe, that this volume contained the history of the beech-tree; and the second that of the oak. The first part of the second volume treats, in four memoirs, of the names, the country, and the constitution of oaks; of their plantation, culture, natural and accidental properties. The second part, just published, relates to the use of the oak, and the methods of working and applying it, either to building or the

Each species described is accompanied with an account of its length, the marks of its goodness, its advantages, and its price in the Prussian dominions. The author next considers the use of the juice, bark, leaves, flowers, fruits, &c. of the oak. The next memoir (the second of this part) treats of the value and the use of the different sections. The extent of the work we cannot guess at. We may pronounce it instructive; but it is tedious in the extreme.

Walthers F. L. Lehrbach der Forstsphysiographie, &c. The Physiography of Forests, or the Natural History of Animals, Plants, aud Minerals, which are the Objects of the Forester and the Hunter. By F. L. Walther. 8vo. Hadamar.-There are few works on the subject so comprehensive as this before us, which is said to be a syllabus of the author's public lectures. The first part only is contained in the present volume, viz. what relates to animals; and of these we find little more than the generic and specific characters, the author reserving the minuter details for the lectures. The definitions are clear and precise, but in the German language; and the Latin systems, with the names of the classes, orders, genera, and species, are translated also into German. The systematic table is preceded by some general and theoretical observations. M. Walther has separated the cryptogamous animals from the sixth class of Linnæus's system; and formed a particular association, which he has styled cryptorgana. It is divided into four orders, comprehending the plant-animals, the animal-plants, the intermediate beings, and the microscopic animals. A list of the principal works on the subject is subjoined.

La Cepeds Naturgeschichte. La Cépède's Natural History of Amphibia: translated from the French by J. M. Bechstein. 2 Vols. 8vo. Weimar.-We notice this translation only, to remark that the translator has made many additions from the works of Schneider, Schoepf, Walbaum, Edwards, and Dorndoff. The whole will be comprised in five volumes; and to the last